Piotr Zielinski has hit back after being told he “had no honour” for getting a photograph with Cristiano Ronaldo after Poland were thrashed by Portugal.

Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal hammered Poland 5-1 in the Nations League on Friday night in Porto. It took until the 59th minute for the first goal to arrive from Rafael Leao, but Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto ensured a comfortable home win, despite Dominik Marczuk’s consolation goal.

The result leaves Poland under pressure going into their final Nations League game against Scotland on Monday night following five defeats in eight games. Media scrutiny was heightened by events after the match, with Inter Milan’s Zielinski and Roma’s Nicola Zalewski caught on camera getting photographs taken with Ronaldo.

Former Poland international Jacek Bak led the outrage. “It’s not my thing. Times used to be different,” he said. “We get 5-1 [defeat] and I have to ask Ronaldo for a picture? The guy who f***ed us a moment earlier? Do we really have no honour in us? Today, social media is the most important thing and the first one to post a picture with Ronaldo is better? That’s not the way to go.

“Let’s say it strongly: coach [Michal] Probierz should react. All that was missing was for him to take a picture with Ronaldo, or maybe swap jackets with Roberto Martinez. I guess I’m not cut out for these times. It’s sad. I guess I’m cut from a different cloth. Today’s world is unfortunately like that.”

But Zielinski, who is standing in for the injured Robert Lewandowski as captain, has defended his actions. “Nicola and I approached him, asked for a photo and took it. Neither Cristiano nor we had a problem with it, that’s all,” he explained.

“I am not interested in what’s going on in social media. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the top players in the history of football. I felt like taking a picture and I did. That’s it. Why is it unbecoming?

“We lost the match but what should I do? Hide in a corner? I went up to him and asked him for a picture and that’s it. That’s what I felt like doing. He (Bak) has the right to have his own opinion. But I don’t think there was anything wrong with it.”

Poland manager Probierz took the side of his players. “I always tell the players, if you have a problem, if you feel like doing something before the match, take a picture before the match,” he said.

“The 90 minutes are of key importance. This time we failed, but we know what to do, how to play, how to work. Every player is a human being. We sometimes forget about that. These are people living their lives and they are young people.”

Newcastle United’s pursuit for a new right-winger took a bizarre turn at Madison Square Garden last night.

With the squad not on international duty on a warm-weather trip to Saudi Arabia, the club’s chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, headed West. In charge of assets worth a reported $930billion for the Public Investment Fund, few are more powerful across the globe than the Toon supremo.

However, the PIF Governor was next to two titans last night as he enjoyed old-fashioned blood, guts and fury at UFC 309. Al-Rumayyan was seated next to US president-elect Trump – who won a landslide election over Kamala Harris a fortnight ago – and the world’s richest man Musk.

Trump’s relationship with the UFC stretches back to 2001 when an up-and-coming sport was acquired by Lorenzo Fertitta, Frank Fertitta and Dana White. Still lightyears away from selling the company for £4billion, few venues or states opened their doors to the “blood sport” quickly gaining popularity.

That was until the president-elect hosted the first two UFC events under new ownership at his Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He has remained close to White, the company’s president, and regularly attends big fights.

Flanked by a horde of Secret Service agents, Trump made his first public appearance since winning the election at MSG. New best buddy Musk – appointed co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency in Trump’s cabinet after donating a staggering $118million to the campaign – was closely by his side.

The less-recognisable Al-Rumayyan, at least in Western circles, also enjoyed ringside seats. Weary-eyed Newcastle fans who stayed up late to watch Jon Jones retain his UFC heavyweight crown did not miss a beat, however, as jokes about the need for a new right-winger soon flooded social media.

Newcastle World

Super Eagles and Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, has revealed his tough experiences while playing for Manchester City, SMI reports

The former Sheffield Wednesday player acknowledged the significant role his older brother, Tom Dele-Bashiru, played in helping him navigate challenges and develop his skills as a footballer.

Fisayo began his career in Manchester City’s U-18 team, where he made three domestic league appearances, scoring three goals. In the 2019-2020 season, the 23-year-old progressed to the U-23 side, contributing one goal and one assist in 14 league matches.

Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Rwanda, the Lazio star told Making of Champions that his brother’s success inspired him during his early career struggles.

“When I was growing up, he was my biggest motivation,” Fisayo said. “He was doing so well while I struggled, especially during my time at Manchester City. Seeing him thrive pushed me to improve myself.”

Now plying his trade with Serie A side Lazio, Fisayo has been an integral part of Marco Baroni’s squad, registering one goal and three assists in their Europa League campaign.

On the international stage, the midfielder has made five appearances for the Super Eagles, netting two goals.

As Nigeria prepares for their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda, Fisayo will be aiming to continue his impressive form under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.